We are watching a significant morphing at Wimbledon as Andy Murray contemplates his semi-final against Andy Roddick following his crafty defeat of Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Murray at last feels at home here, I sense. He used to say that about the US Open where he had his first international success as a youngster. The family feeling at SW19 has been a gradual process, at first suspicious on both sides. It seems to me as well that providence is still on Murray's side.

It might have dealt him a second helping hand on Wednesday. First there was the removal of the injured champion and world number one Rafael Nadal even before the off; now it has given him a semi-final not against Lleyton Hewitt, whose nous and tenacity might have posed him many problems, but against Roddick who is a uncomplicated hustler.

A word about the other quarter-finals. Reduced to the most elementary diagnosis, one was virtually decided almost before we had even settled into our seats. Could the massive Ivo Karlovic 's serve hold out against the

peerless Roger Federer? From the early moments when Federer first lurched to his left and launched one winning return and then bulleted one wide of Karlovic's forehand we had our answer.

As for Tommy Haas outlasting Novak Djokovic, well in that heat the German may have been helped by the fact that he lives in Florida. As for the Serbs, my favourite Serbian commentator assures me that they are now at last running out of talent. "All the kids are doing now is playing video games," he said.

There is one thing about Friday's semis that may seem trifling but isn't. How will the Brits shout Murray encouragement? Come on Andy? Think about it. Perhaps 'Come on Scotland' is the answer, although that may choke in many a Sassenach throat. Let me know your answers ASAP please!

Thursday brings the ladies' semi-finals which turn out to be the United States against Russia - super-power stuff.

First up is the Monte Carlo-based Elena Dementieva against Serena Williams and you had better know their vital statistics. Serena leads 5-3 in their rivalry, with Elena winning three of the last four, including most notably at the Olympic Games, where she won the gold medal.

As for Venus, the reigning champion is up against the relative new girl, Dinara Safina. Venus won both of their encounters last year but in Rome this year Dinara beat her in three tight sets, although that was on clay.

I am not convinced that Dinara has discovered how to play on the lawns. And of just as much concern is that the grass hardly influenced her service toss which was a nightmare the other day, while her general confusion is very debilitating.

Finally a line about our pretty new hope in the juniors, Laura Robson. She was beaten on Wednesday by a similarly talented Dutch girl in the under-18 event. It could have gone either way and Laura was not helped by an injury.

Let us just leave her alone now to learn her trade - she is going to be a very good player indeed.